Buffalo's Bay Day Opens New England Path to Top Spot - Best of NFL Week 10
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Week 10 again delivered, with a major surprise for the Bills demonstrating the 'any given Sunday' mantra that draws so many people into the NFL
This outcome could have created opportunities for the Patriots to move back into a top spot they formerly held, with a schedule that provides them an advantage over their eight and two rivals
Meanwhile in the National Football Conference the Seahawks and Rams had ideal outcomes to arrange a major confrontation in week 11, while our player of the week is chasing records as well as the Most Valuable Player award
The Breakdown - Just a Bad Day for the Bills?
Was it just an emotional letdown from beating the Chiefs last week or a deeper issue? That's the question for the Bills to answer
The Buffalo squad had secured seven victories in a consecutive games against the Dolphins but were second best from the beginning as the Dolphins ran out 30-13 victors in an surprising outcome - and performance
MVP Josh Allen only achieved the squad's opening first down in the third period and initial scoring in the fourth - yes Miami had ten days to get ready but it was still a massive egg produced by one of the league's best offenses
Tua Tagovailoa threw two scores but running back Achane was the devastating difference, with 225 combined yards and two touchdowns
Bottling up the NFL's top rushing attack was also key, with James Cook and teammates recording just 86 yards, their lowest of the year and slightly more than fifty percent their 161.5-yard season average
Additionally there were the three crucial turnovers, and the two from Josh Allen specifically. An interception in the scoring area resulting in a nine minute possession produced nothing, and his fourth-quarter dropped ball that Miami turned into seven points just later
It was classic 'old Buffalo' as they shot themselves in the foot, getting into a hole on defensive side and Allen attempting to overcompensate to rescue his squad from the situation - rather than the calm, controlled, balanced Bills we've witnessed this year
Miami have demonstrated a bit of everything this year so the jury's out on if this is the beginning of a trend, but for Buffalo they'll require an instant response in a difficult matchup against the Buccaneers next week as the Patriots are quietly moving into a comfortable advantage at the summit of the American Football Conference East
In Focus - Patriots See Path to Surprise Top Seed
Speaking of the Patriots, they're among three 8-2 squads in the league, all AFC teams, but are they the best?
One could pick holes in the Patriots, the Broncos and Indianapolis actually for dominating the weaker opponents, with just five of their combined 24 victories coming against teams with a positive record - and one example was the Indianapolis defeating the Denver
The Broncos defeated the champion Eagles in Philadelphia and are masters of the final quarter while Indianapolis can rely on Jonathan Taylor, but the Patriots adding Sunday's victory in Tampa to their prime time win in Orchard Park appears to be a declaration
Their two defeats came in new head coach Mike Vrabel's initial three contests, with seven straight wins, just like Denver, from that point - but taking down Baker Mayfield after the Buccaneers had a week off to get ready was significant
Maye's Most Valuable Player credentials won't go away, and he definitely earns point for courage after absorbing some savage hits in Tampa Bay but persevering to steer his side to success
The defense is reliable and rookie running back Henderson burst onto the scene on game day with 147 yards and two exhilerating scores of fifty-five and sixty-nine yards - becoming just the fifth runner to exceed 22mph this year on his first score
While you can debate who 'the best' is statistically, the Pats should be favourites to end with the top record due to their remaining opponents - which includes just one game against a successful opponent, although a significant contest against Buffalo
Visiting the Ravens is also tough, but Denver have it even tougher in the AFC West division with the Kansas City to play twice, the Chargers (who might also challenge for first place but face the same problem) and also the Packers on the schedule
The Indianapolis also face the Chiefs, and have the Seattle, San Francisco and two games with the 5-4 Jacksonville to contend with. There's a considerable distance to go but the opportunity is open for a surprise top seed in the American Football Conference
Next Week - Rams & Seahawks Prepare for Next Week Showdown
Both squads with solid claims to be superior to all of the three different 8-2 teams are National Football Conference West rivals the Seahawks and Los Angeles, who both scored 40 burgers to go to 7-2 before next week's Hollywood blockbuster meeting between the two in LA
Both have won four in a consecutive games, have signal callers in Matthew Stafford and Darnold playing at an high standard (although Sam Darnold had turnover issues on Sunday) with top receivers, and defensive units allowing under 20 points a contest
Both could easily be without a loss as well - especially the Rams as their pair of losses occurred in overtime against the San Francisco and then that painful defeat in Philadelphia when they had a potentially winning field goal with the final play deflected and run back by the Philadelphia for a score
Seattle also lost to San Francisco, with a late touchdown in the opening week, before losing to the last kick of the contest against the Tampa Bay - so they are genuinely two of the best sides in the NFL
The next matchup on Sunday could be the best of the year to date
Player of the Week - Taylor
Jonathan Taylor could be on for a historic year after his remarkable performance in Berlin - rushing for 244 yards, scoring three scores and adding an additional forty-two {receiving yards